KLEM PM News Update Dec. 14th, 2010

It's called The Daily 5 and it involves kids reading to each other, reading together, journaling, working together through spelling lists and phonics exercises. As part of the program kids get to make a lot of choices and set goals to improve skills. Educators have been impressed with the confidence the Daily 5 gives kids in reading skills and comprehension.

Also at Monday's school board meeting a vote was taken to move forward with the process of the sale of property made up of a garage and a house owned by the school district. The property used to be owned by Arlene Urban. There will be a public hearing regarding the buildings on January 10th, the bid process will be open on January 10th as well. The garage and the house will be sold seperately.

The LeMars Board of Education also passed a recommendation to give for more assistance to At Risk programming. Two of the major changes that will take place in the district as a result of this change includes Le Mars Alternative High School becoming a full day program, which requires more principal time and guidance time. The other change is adding an at risk teacher at the middle school. The effect these additions will have on the general fund budget is $189,334 dollars.

DES MOINES--Iowa's delegation in the U.S. House is expected to shrink from five to four following the release of the 2010 census next week.

The U.S. Census Bureau is to announce the results on Dec. 21, which includes the populations of each state and their U.S. House representation.

The Des Moines Register says Iowa's population is expected to top 3 million, up from 2.9 million in the 2000 census. However, Iowa's population has grown slower than in other parts of the country, which means the state will probably lose one of its five U.S. House seats in 2012.

Once the figures are available, Iowa will start to shape a new congressional district map for the Legislature to consider. Gov.-elect Terry Branstad has until Sept. 15 to sign a new configuration.

Iowa ranks low in health emergency preparedness

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A report from a non-profit, non-partisan group is showing Iowa ranking among the worst in the nation in being prepared for a public health emergency.

The Trust for America's Health report shows Iowa receiving a score of five out of 10, the lowest among its neighboring states.

Among the areas where Iowa falls short are funding for public health services; requiring licensed child care facilities to have a multi-hazard evacuation plan; and having an adequate work force to respond to a disease outbreak.

Jeff Levi, the group's director, says it's a reminder that more needs to be done and that progress made in the past decade is being threatened by federal and state budget cuts.

State public health officials did not provide an immediate comment on the report.

More Iowa children affected by bad economy

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The economic well-being of Iowa children has declined since 2000 with the percentage of children living in poverty growing by 45 percent, and those receiving food assistance skyrocketing more than 140 percent.

The numbers are included in an Iowa Kids Count reported released Tuesday. The data was compiled by the Child and Family Policy Center, a nonprofit organization that links research and policy issues related to children and families, and advocates for positive outcomes for children.

The report shows the percentage of children eligible for free or reduced-priced school lunches grew nearly 30 percent from 2000 to 2009, with a 35 percent increase in incidents of child abuse and neglect.

Michael Crawford, the executive director of the Child and Family Policy Center, says the report shows the affect the recession has had on families, particularly children.

Wapello wastewater got into river

WAPELLO--State officials say about 88,000 gallons of untreated wastewater got into the Iowa River in Louisa County after a Wapello pump station failed.

The Department of Natural Resources says city workers discovered the problem Monday morning. They soon set up a bypass to allow for repairs. After that work was completed, city staffers removed the bypass so wastewater could resume flowing to the treatment plant.

DNR says a second pump at the station had been removed for repairs about two weeks ago.

Iowa librarian accused of forgery, theft

GARRISON, Iowa (AP) The former library director for Garrison has been accused of stealing city funds.

The Gazette, of Cedar Rapids, says 41-year-old Mary Sheeley, of rural Garrison, is charged with forgery and theft. She was arrested Monday and was released pending a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.

Authorities say Sheeley forged the city clerk's signature on 36 checks between August and December.

A listed phone for Sheeley has been disconnected. Case records don't list her attorney's name.

Ex-bookkeeper admits stealing more than $1.5M

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) A 54-year-old Farley woman pleads guilty to stealing more than $1.5 million while on the job.

Julie Meyer is accused of writing checks from her employer, Midwest Irrigation, of East Dubuque, to pay off gambling and credit-card debts. Prosecutors say the thefts occurred from January 2003 through March 2010.

According to Cedar Rapids television station KGAN, Meyer was chief bookkeeper for the company. She was able to review bank statements and remove pages that contained checks she had written.

Iowa to review drug-testing policies

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) The University of Iowa says it's reviewing its drug testing policies for student-athletes in the wake of star receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos's arrest last week on drug charges.

Iowa athletic director Gary Barta says some ``flaws and inconsistencies'' have been found in the policies and that some athletes have likely gotten around drug tests in the past.

Barta says officials haven't found any more football players cheating a drug test but are double-checking their drug testing protocols and procedures.

Johnson-Koulianos is the only player suspended for the Insight Bowl on Dec. 28 for a drug-related issues.

Running back Adam Robinson has been suspended for the game for failing to comply with team policies, and oft-injured running back Jewel Hampton plans to transfer.